Golf cart



w. RIITIVCH 2,883,207

April 21, 1959 GOLF CART Filed July 24, 1957 ATTORNEYS V United States Patent 2,883,207 GOLF CART William Reich, Cowiche, Wash.

Application July 24, 1957, Serial No. 673,951

3 Claims. (Cl. 280-4719) This invention relates to a golf cart.

The object of the invention is to provide a golf cart which is adapted to be used for handling or transporting golf clubs, golf balls and the like.

Another object of the invention is to provide a golf cart which includes a means for conveniently supporting a plurality of golf clubs, and wherein there is provided a means which can be moved into a position that will permit the golf cart to be conveniently supported when the cart is not being moved.

A further object of the invention is to provide a golf cart which is extremely simple and inexpensive to manufacture.

Other objects and advantages will be apparent during the course of the following description.

In the accompanying drawings, forming a part of this application, and in which like numerals are used to designate like parts throughout the same.

Figure 1 is a perspective view illustrating the golf cart of the present invention.

Figure 2 is a perspective view but looking at the rear of the golf cart.

Figure 3 is a fragmentary perspective view showing the lower portion of the golf cart, and with the lid of the container in raised position.

Figure 4 is a fragmentary vertical sectional view taken through the golf cart. 1

Figure 5 is a sectional view taken on the line 5-5 of Figure 4.

Figure 6 is a sectional view taken on the line 6-6 of Figure 2.

Figure 7 is a sectional view taken on the line 7-7 of Figure 1.

Referring in detail to the drawings, there is shown a golf cart which includes a back wall 10, and a pair of spaced parallel side walls 11. Each of the side walls 11 includes a portion 12 which terminates in a lower portion 13 of increased size. The golf cart further includes a bottom wall 14 which is arranged at right angles with respect to the back wall 10, and the bottom wall 14 is provided with a plurality of openings 15 so that water such as rain water or the like can drain therethrough. Extending beneath the bottom wall 14 and held in place by clamps 17, is an axle 16, and a pair of ground engag ing wheels 18 are mounted on the axle 16.

Mounted on the bottom wall 14 is a container which is indicated generally by the numeral 19, and the. container 19 is provided with a hinged Gover or lid 20. A partition 21 is arranged in the container 19, and the partition 21 defines spaced apart compartments 22 and 24. The compartment 22 can be used for holding golf balls such as the golf balls 23, while the compartment 24 can be used for holding other golf accessories such as tees or. the like. 3

The ntuneral 26 indicates a row of spring clamps which are secured to the back wall adjacent the upper portion thereof. Also secured to the back wall 10 and arranged below the spring clamps 26 are spacer members 27. A clamping bar or safety bar 28 has a transverse portion 29 pivotally connectedl to a bearing 30 which issecured to one of the side walls 11, amid the other end of the bar 28 is adapted to be engaged in a latch 31 which is on the other side wall so that golf clubs 32 will be safely retained in the cart. The golf clubs 32 each include the usual shaft portion 33 and head 34.

Secured to the rear surface of the back wall 10 is a movable shaft which is indicated generally by the numeral 41, and the shaft 41 includes a major straight portion 42. See Figure 2. For supporting the shaft 41, a pair of hearing blocks 35 are secured to the back wall 10 and project rearwardly therefrom, and each of the blocks 35 is pro vided with a recess 36. See Figure 5. A coil spring 37 is arranged in each recess 36 and engages a ball 38. A clamping plate 39 is secured to each block 35 by means of securing elements 40, and each clamping plate 39 includes an intermediate curved portion which straddles the shaft 41. The shaft 41 is provided with indentations 43 which are adapted to be selectively engaged by the spring pressed ball 38.

Secured to the back wall 10 is a collar 44 through which extends the portion 42 of the shaft 41, and a screw member 45 extends through the collar 44 and engages the shaft 41 so that by loosening the screw member 45, the shaft 41 can be rotated. The lower portion of the shaft 41 is arranged angularly as at 46, and a resilient bushing 47 is mounted on the lower end thereof. The upper portion 48 of the shaft 41 is also bent transversely and has a hand grip 49 or bushing 49 thereon. The numeral 50 indicates a carrying handle which can be secured to the cart for facilitating the manual carrying or lifting thereof.

From the foregoing, it is apparent that there has been provided a golf cart which is especially suiatble for use by golfers and wherein the handling of golf clubs, balls and the like will be greatly facilitated. In use, a plurality of the golf clubs 32 are adapted to be supported in the cart, and the shaft portions 33 of the clubs 32 are releasably engaged in the spring clips 26 and spacer members 27. The heads 34 of the clubs are positioned as shown in Figure 4 and the clubs are further held in position by means of the locking bar 28. When it is desired to remove any of the clubs, the locking bar 28 can be readily pivoted about the bearing 30 so that the clubs 32 can be readily removed from the spring clips 26 or spacer members 27. The wheels 18 permit the cart to be readily moved from place to place as desired, and by properly positioning the shaft 41, the upper portion 48 of the shaft can be used as a handle for facilitating the movement of the cart from place to place. The golf balls 23 can be readily arranged in the compartment 22, and golf tees or the like can be arranged in the compartment 24. By loosening the screw member 45, the shaft 41 can be pivoted to a position so that the lower portion 46 acts as a rest whereby the golf cart can be conveniently supported. The spring pressed balls or detents 38 are adapted to engage the indentations 43 in the shaft 41 whereby the shaft 41 will be maintained immobile in its various adjusted positions. However, when the shaft 41 is to be moved, the spring pressure exerted by the springs 37 can be readily overcome.

As previously described, the golf clubs 32 are held in place by means of the spring clips 26 so that the clubs will not accidentally fall out while the cart is being moved over the golf course. The spacer members 27 help maintain the clubs in their proper alined position. When the cart is being parked, as for example when the game of golf is being played, the shaft 41 can be rotated in the bearing assemblies 35 so that the lower portion 46 of the shaft 41 will help to support the cart. As shown in Figure 6, the shaft 41 consists of an upper section and a lower section whereby these sections can be moved independently of each other as desired, so that for example when the cart is being carried in an automobile or the 3 like, the parts can be moved to occupy a minimum amount of space. The cartcan be madeof any suitable material and in different shapes or sizes, and a plurality of golf clubs can be supported therein. As shown in Figure 4 for example, it will be seen that the golf club heads 34 fit behind the container '19 so that the parts are kept securely in place and wherein the clubs can be readily removed when they are to be used. Furthermore, if desired a safety belt can be used to help hold the clubs securely in place and also, a suitable cover member may be mounted on the cart when desired. The cost of making the cart is quite low. The cart of the present invention will eliminate the need for using a golf bag. Furthermore the cart can be conveniently and quickly parked and the clubs are in full view so that the desired club can be easily and quickly selected or removed. Also, the ball box and tee container are readily accessible and in plain sight. The handle 55) can be used for carrying the cart, and the bar 28 can be used for maintaining the clubs securely in the cart, as for example when the device is being carried in an automobile. The bushings 47 and 49 may be made of a suitable yieldable material such as rubber. Furthermore, when the device is being moved in and out of an automobile, the golfer has only one item to handle which is an advantage to the golfer. The unit is compactly constructed and the clubs are carried with the head 34 down so that the cart is highly stable wherein the cart will not be easily upset. The holes or openings permit water to readily flow out, as for example when it rains. The golf clubs are well protected and the heads of the clubs are also protected since they rest in a cradle at the bottom of the cart and such a cradle may be lined with felt or the like to keep the heads from coming in contact with each other. Because the golf club heads are cradled conveniently, it is not necessary to use mitts or covers on the golf club heads. Also, when the cart is parked, it tilts back at an angle which permits the clubs to be in full view from top to bottom so as to facilitate the selection of the desired club. A waterproof cover may be used with the device if desired. Also, a suitable clip board and clips may be provided in the back of the cart to hold score cards, pencils, cigarettes or the like.

As shown in the drawings, the shaft 41. includes two separate sections 42 and 46 which abut each other at the. point indicated by the numeral 9, Figure 6, so that these two sections 42 and 46 are capable of independent movement with respect to each other. The collar 44 is secured as by welding at 8 to the lower section 46. The set screw 45 extends through the collar 44, and when the set screw 45 is tightened, it will lock the collar 44 to the upper section 42 so that the pair of sections 42 and 46 will turn in unison. Similarly, when the set screw 45 is loosened, the sections 4-2 and 46 can be moved inde pendently of each other. This arrangement permits the lower section 46 to be moved to the desired position by applying pressure directly to the lower section 46 as for, example when the set screw 55 is loose. Or, when the set screw is tight, movement of the upper section 42 will cause corresponding movement of the lower section 46.

While I have shown a preferred form of my invention, I reserve all rights to such modifications as properly fall within the scope of the invention as claimed.

I claim:

1. In a golf cart, a back wall, a pair of spaced parallel side walls extending from said back wall and secured thereto, each of said side walls including a lower portion of increased size and an upper portion of decreased size, a bottom wall extending between the lower ends of said side walls and secured thereto, a horizontally disposed axle journaled below said bottom wall, a pair of wheels mounted on said axle, a pair of spaced apart bearing members secured to said back wall and extending rearwardly therefrom, each of said bearing members including a block provided with a recess, a spring pressed ball arranged in said recess, clamping plates secured to said blocks and including intermediate curved portions, there being an arcuate recess in the outer portion of each of said blocks adjacent the curved portion of the clamping plate, a shaft including a major straight portion rotatably arranged between the curved portions of said plates and said arcuate recesses, there being indentations in said shaft for receiving said spring pressed balls, the upper and lower portions of said shaft being arranged angularly with respect to the major portion thereof, and resilient bushings mounted on the upper and lower ends of said shaft.

2. In a golf cart, a back wall, a pair of spaced parallel side walls extending from said back wall and secured thereto, each of said side walls including a lower portion of increased size and an upper portion of decreased size, a bottom wall extending between the lower ends of said side walls and secured thereto, a horizontally disposed axle journaled below said bottom wall, a pair of wheels mounted on said axle, a pair of spaced apart bearing members secured to said back wall and extending rearwardly therefrom, each of said bearing members including a block provided with a recess, a spring pressed ball arranged in said recess, clamping plates secured to said blocks and including intermediate curved portions, there being an arcuate recess in the outer portion of each of said blocks adjacent the curved portion of the clamping plate, a shaft including a major straight portion rotatably arranged between the curved portions of said plates and said arcuate recesses, there being indentations in said shaft for receiving said spring pressed balls, the upper and lower portions of said shaft being arranged angularly with respect to the major portion thereof, and resilient bushings mounted on the upper and lower ends of said shaft, and a container mounted on said bottom wall and said container being provided with a plurality of compartments therein.

3. In a golf cart, a back wall, a pair of spaced parallel side walls extending from said back wall and secured thereto, each of said side walls including a lower portion of increased size and an upper portion of decreased size, a bottom wall extending between the lower ends of said side walls and secured thereto, a horizontally disposed axle journaled below said bottom wall, a pair of Wheels mounted on said axle, a pair of spaced apart hearing members secured to said back wall and extending rearwardly therefrom, each of said bearing members including a block provided with a recess, a spring pressed ball arranged in said recess, clamping plates secured to said blocks and including intermediate curved portions,

there being an arcuate recess in the outer portion of each of said blocks adjacent the curved portion of the clamping plate, a shaft including a major straight portion rotatably arranged between the curved portions of said plates and said arcuate recesses, there being indentations in said shaft for receiving said spring pressed balls, the upper and lower portions of said shaft being arranged angularly with respect to the major portion thereof, re-

silient bushings mounted on the upper and lower ends of said shaft, a container mounted on said bottom wall and said container being provided with a plurality of compartments therein, said bottom wall being provided with a plurality of openings therein, and a carrying handleconnected to said cart.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,231,030 Kelley June 26, 1917 1,744,414 Pflaum Jan. 21, 1930 2,470,272 Trimmer May 17, 1949 2,551,009 Kaltenbach May 1, 1951 2,757,012 Leffler July 31, 1956 FOREIGN PATENTS 258,758 Great Britain Sept. 30, 1926 

